Barbara Cameron (4) (1949–)

"The Amish Midwife's Hope" presents readers with a story of past tragedy, loss, and hope. Rebecca serves her Amish community as a midwife. Although widowed, Rebecca looks forward to the day when she will find God's choice for her to remarry and have her own babies to love and cherish. She hopes God's choice for her might be Samuel, a newcomer to her community, also widowed and father to a charming daughter. After a rocky start, it looks as if things might work out for the couple. Samuel's show more daughter Lizzie loves Rebecca and hopes she will become Lizzie's new mother. However, past sorrows form an obstacle for their happiness. Will they overcome these challenges and move on to find a new happiness and form a new family together?

This novel features mature, realistic Amish adults, with careers and families, which appealed to me. They are flawed human beings who struggle to overcome grief, yet trust in their families and their faith to get them through difficulties. The plot might seem predictable, but getting to the ending is worth the journey. Interesting minor characters also play cameo roles in the story. Samuel's daughter Lizzie just steals the show! What a bright and lovable child. The book is worth reading just to get to know this little girl. Readers can expect an overt Christian message, and also can expect to learn a lot about midwives! Discussion questions are included.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. show less

The Amish Baby Finds a Home by Barbara Cameron is a cute Amish tale. Twins Gideon and Eli Troyer are complete opposites. Gideon is a toy maker who is thoughtful, patient, and thinks things through. Eli is the more spirited twin. He is reckless, a farmer, a charmer, and likes to have fun. Gideon has been courting Hannah Stoltzfus and is ready to pop the question. The sudden appearance of a baby who resembles the Troyer twins’ changes Gideon’s plans. I enjoyed this sweet story. I thought show more The Amish Baby Finds a Home was well written with developed, realistic characters and situations. My favorite character was John, the charming baby found in the toy shop. He is such a sweetie and a charmer. I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up the book. I was drawn into this moving story, and it held my attention to the end. While The Amish Baby Finds a Home is the second A Hearts of Lancaster County Novel, it can be read as a standalone. The Amish Baby Finds a Home is a story that will tug at your heartstrings. The Amish Baby Finds a Home is a heartwarming Amish tale with a charming farmer, a thoughtful toy maker, a generous quilt maker, a muddled mother, and blissful baby boy. show less

WOW! Barbara is such a wonderful author.

I haven’t actually read any of her other Amish novels but after reading this one, I will be!

I have read a story or two of hers from collaborations and they were wonderful but they could not have prepared me for what unfolded in “A Road Unknown”.

So few authors are able to capture the essence of something that is totally or even mostly foreign to them but Barbara Cameron does it beautifully.

At least, I hope so… I would hate to think that Barbara show more herself experienced the same things her main character in “A Road Unknown” has. But if she didn’t, you would never know it because From her masterful writing, you’re certain she has.

She brings us right into Elizabeth’s world. From the first paragraph, I was hooked. Barbara Cameron captured me and I’m certain I’m not the only one. We are immediately pulled into the story and it doesn’t let go of us until we’ve turned the last page.

It’s a great book and I am already looking forward to the next one! Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there’s an excerpt of book 2 – right there in the back of book 1.

It’s so exciting to find a wonderful new series from an author who – then becomes one of your favorites. And I have to admit, I’m excited I can go back and read more about some of the characters I’ve “met” who were already introduced in her earlier series – at least it will give me something to do while I’m waiting for book 2 in this series.

One thing I’m noticing more and more in Amish fiction is the reliance on cell-phones and characters who do not shun technology but are extremely cautious in it’s use. I used to think this was inaccurate but the more I am getting to know people in Amish communities (not fictional) and the more I read other books with this as part of the story, the more I am convinced that Amish communities are embracing cell-phone technology. And it makes sense to me when I stop and think about it too. They hold themselves apart so a cell-phone with no contract (one of those pay-by-the-month deals) would actually be better and easier than having the Englisch install phone shanties all over their community.

I love when you read a book, and get a fresh perspective on something, don’t you?

Well “A Road Unknown” is full of fresh perspectives. It gives us a look into Amish life from a perspective that most people would never even consider. It gives us a deeper feel for the difficulties that these wonderful people who live “plain” endure – and not just from their simple lives either.

And I love that it gives a whole new perspective on being a young woman in a tough situation. Amish or not, there are many girls who have been in the exact same position that Elizabeth was in and I believe this book will touch the hearts of Amish fans and non-Amish fans!

If you enjoy Amish fiction at all, do NOT miss this book!

Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. show less

All I can say is this: I really hope Barbara never lets anyone talk her into making this a movie because they’ll ruin it.

WHAT a GREAT story!

I have to say it was a bit of a shock for my system going from Amish to Crime – and by the same author but I’m so glad I went ahead and read them in order. As a matter of fact, I’m sitting here writing this a full two days ahead of schedule. It was THAT GOOD! I seriously could NOT put the book down and I usually detest mystery novels. I used to show more read a series by another author who shall remain nameless and it effectively killed any taste for mysteries that I may have had.

But this book is nowhere near the same league as those. Or any other… And when I say that, I mean that this book is far far above the rest.

I could happily read a dozen more by Barbara because I already know that she is capable of writing a great story with believable characters and a plot-line that even a seasoned mystery writer would envy.

Barbara Cameron doesn’t drag things out, she doesn’t throw in a ridiculous amount of obvious clues and… the coup-de-grâce – she does not have her characters do stupid things. No walking right into the path of the killer over and over again, no figuring out the whole thing right before the killer sticks a gun to your temple and no running around screaming like an idiot. I LOVE IT!

THANK YOU Barbara Cameron!

And PLEASE write more of these kind of stories!

You might, if you’re an old-hand at mysteries, pick out a clue or two but nothing that stands there screaming “RIGHT HERE! THEY DID IT! DON’T MISS THIS!” And some of you might think the romance moves a little too quickly (I don’t think I’m giving anything away there – you knew there had to be romance) but please remember this is a short book. It’s supposed to move fast. However, I have to say that I don’t think the book itself moved too fast – it had a perfect pace and, at the end, I found myself wondering how I’d gotten there already.

The only complaint I have is the synopsis. I don’t know if the book underwent a lot of changes since it was written or if whoever wrote it just hadn’t read the book but there are several goofs in it. Logan is a new partner and he never really “ribs” Tess about her quilting. And Tess’s aunt isn’t in a nursing home. She’s in the hospital. But oh well…

It’s a GREAT story! Read it! You won’t be sorry!

Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. show less